Paul R. Gergel is a lifelong Northampton resident. He graduated from Northampton Senior High School in 1971, where he participated in football, basketball and golf.

"We were given a solid education where discipline and respect were stressed," he recalls. After graduation, Paul earned a degree in business from Northampton County Community College.

As a young man, he was employed by the Borough of Northampton, but a cement career was his goal. His father had been employed by Dragon Cement in Northampton.

After a three-year wait, he was hired by the Whitehall Cement Company, now Lafarge Corporation.

"The plant manager was Mr. Dick Foster, who was highly respected," he says. "He greeted everyone at the plant on a first-name basis."

His cement odyssey started in the labor pool. He later became a kiln utility man and then moved to the central control room.

"The control room is the heart of the plant," he says. "It can be very challenging, especially when there is a power outage."

For the last 20 years, he has been a member of the maintenance gang. The gang consists of 10 hardy employees who maintain all equipment at the plant. They have a preventive maintenance schedule, which allows them to keep the plant operating in a safe and efficient manner.

Safety is a top priority at Lafarge. At monthly safety meetings, staff members discuss all safety issues and offer suggestions on how to keep the plant safe for all employees. The meetings are chaired by maintenance manager Guy Delauniere. The maintenance supervisors are Dave Tomasic and Tim Janny, both fine men.

MSHA, a federal agency, conducts stringent safety checks semi-annually. Some last for two weeks.

Mr. Gergel has seen many employees come and go over the years. He recalls old-timers Ernie Bartzak and Harold Newhard, who shared their experiences with him.

He enjoys his employment.

"With each day, there is a work flow, working with many skilled co-workers," he says.

Paul has been married to the former Cathy Miletics for 36 years. They are proud of daughter Corrine and grandson Mark. The family resides in Northampton.

He is interested in railroad history and is an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Paul met one of the greatest players in baseball history, the great Ted Williams, when he appeared at a Sears store a number of years ago.

Mr. Gergel is a friendly gentlemen, active in union affairs. He is a dedicated cement worker, upholding the tradition of our local cement workers. We wish Paul a healthy, happy retirement and hope all my friends at the century-old Cementon plant have a safe and prosperous 2015.